Consumption of Vegetal Organic Matter by Constrictotermes cyphergaster (Isoptera, Termitidae, Nasutitermitinae) in an Area of Caatinga, Northeastern Brazil

The Neotropical termite Constrictotermes cyphergaster can be found in the Brazilian Cerrado and Caatinga. This species forages in the open air, at night, and feeds mainly on wood. This study aimed at quantifying the consumption of vegetal organic matter by C cyphergaster in an area of Caatinga in the State of Paraiba, Northeastern Brazil. Consumption of wood was estimated as the difference in dry weight of workers before and after foraging events. Samples of 12 foraging events were taken during each dry and wet seasons. The average rates of consumption of wood during the wet season [5.6 +/- 4.4 g (dry weight)/ nest] was significantly higher than during the dry season (3.2 +/- 2.5 g/ nest); however, the individual consumption did not change significantly between seasons. The average consumption of wood by C cyphergaster was estimated as 44.5 +/- 14.7 kg of vegetal organic matter /ha/year, representing some 13% of the annual production of wood litter. Results suggest that the study species plays an important role in the energy flow and nutrient cycling in the Brazilian Caatinga.